I’m also a fan of “Blood from a Stone”. For me it is a real paradox in that it is both uncharacteristic and classic purple at the same time. I love the smooth vibe of the verses juxtaposed with the hard rock chorus. I think it represents the band’s songwriting at its finest. I’d love to hear it live.

Even by their own admission, Deep Purple is not a “singles” band–they’re an “album” band. The fact that anyone is even discussing “single” is suggestive of the record company looking out to increase sales.

There is nothing wrong with that–sales are the nature of the beast–but singles are usually chosen on the basis of mass appeal, which usually means the song that is easiest to listen to or is “most accessible” to the media and audience in general. Most often, this means the most “poppy” song–a word not usually associated with DP.

With that in mind, “All the Time in the World,” “Hell to Pay,” and “Vincent Price” are obvious singles. Note that singles–at least to Deep Purple fans–are not usually the best song on the album and thus the choice depends upon who the target audience is.

If the PR guys are looking to increase sales among non-Purple fans, they got it right by introducing the former two early on and the latter for the official single. If they were out to excite longtime fans, they got it wrong.

I believe the choice of “All the Time in the World” and “Hell to Pay” (sans that Made in Japan-style middle section, which for me is the absolute highlight of the album) was an ill-advised move to interest longtime fans, but right on the mark to attract new buyers.

“Vincent Price” was the most logical choice for a video due to the imagery it suggests.

For me, “Uncommon Man” should have been leaked early on–or “Hell to Pay” in its COMPLETE form as a compromise. The Lord-like Hammond work and rhythm in the solo section would have produced quite a buzz among the Purple community, and the cliché’d chorus more likely to appeal to the market as a whole.

“All the Time in the World” was a bit of a let-down and *not* indicative of what the album was about overall. There is nothing wrong with the song itself, and the album version of it is much better than what was released as the teaser. The name “Deep Purple,” however, suggests certain things, and ballads are not usually one of them.

Remember the “Never Before” fiasco from Machine Head. It was the relatively unknown and dismissed “Smoke on the Water” that ended up being the smash hit–but only after it was issued along with the edited version from Made in Japan. Purple tried it again with “Call of the Wild” from House of Blue Light–hardly the most exciting track on that album–but the A&R department wants to maximize the bottom line.

In Deep Purple’s case–who unlikely will ever have a “hit” single again–I think it best to target the fans and fringe fans to guarantee a record sale each and take it from there. Gregg’s suggestion of “Blood from a Stone” would be a great B-side.

So what would I have picked? Probably “Out of Hand”. Then again, that’s why I don’t work for a record company.

One thing that can be said for this new album is that several songs hold the potential as the shocker “hit single”, but only time will tell. Had NOW What?! been released in the heyday of MTV, it would have been huge–but I don’t think Michael Jackson would have been too happy.

Gregg, that’s YOUR opinion, and I for one disagree. IMO Blood From A Stone is one of the weaker songs (out of only two, and I’m even not sure if we can say that any song on the album is “weak” since the whole album is GREAT) on the album, and IMO not as suitable as a single as VP. It’s all a matter of taste.

BFAS up there for me, but I would see it is the ballad even though it has rocking breaks. ATTITW is more like a slow-ditty experiment compared to it, but a nice one. But points T makes are pretty dead on, I would agree that he picks up well on the marketing approach and its results.

T @ 7 – I have to agree with your comments in regards to the so called single thingy! But as you stated, Purple were NEVER a singles band, as well as any of the other classic rock bands from that era. But I don’t agree with All The Time In The World being a ‘single’ or even a ‘live’ track. The tempo isn’t right, too slow or ballad like. Hell To Pay & Vincent Price have that ‘let’s rock’ thing to them, they may make people listen & possibly like it! They are good ‘rock’ tracks! There are a few others as well that they should be including in a newer revised set list! If they do that of course, will be another matter indeed!
Regarding ‘Call Of The Wild’, from THOBL album. I always liked it as a catchy rock song, commercial sounding indeed, but many bands in the 80’s took that path for a short time! It has all the classic Purple elements in it!

When I say Deep Purple were NEVER a singles band, I suppose Mark 1 started out covering other artists songs that were radio friendly singles!
What I should have said was Mark 2 were NEVER a singles band! Anyway, it’s ‘horses for courses’ as the saying goes!

I would like to hear any of the new tunes played on the radio. I agree with any who say the most radio friendly will probably be most promoted. That said..I heard 4 over- played “Stones” tunes on the radio yesterday within an hour… and they were not “just released” from a new album….go figure.

Greg I totally agree, though I’m sure everyone has their view. I think we are not in majority here but I truly think that Blood from a Stone is the best track on the new album closely followed by out of hand and uncommon man and very closely followed by all the rest…my opinion though.